Carbs Wars: Interesting Study

[badfish51581]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15897479

Insulin sensitivity determines the effectiveness of dietary macronutrient composition on weight loss in obese women.

Cornier MA, Donahoo WT, Pereira R, Gurevich I, Westergren R, Enerback S, Eckel PJ, Goalstone ML, Hill JO, Eckel RH, Draznin B.
Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether macronutrient composition of a hypocaloric diet can enhance its effectiveness and whether insulin sensitivity (Si) affects the response to hypocaloric diets. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Obese nondiabetic insulin-sensitive (fasting insulin < 10 microU/mL; n = 12) and obese nondiabetic insulin-resistant (fasting insulin > 15 microU/mL; n = 9) women (23 to 53 years old) were randomized to either a high carbohydrate (CHO) (HC)/low fat (LF) (60% CHO, 20% fat) or low CHO (LC)/high fat (HF) (40% CHO, 40% fat) hypocaloric diet. Primary outcome measures after a 16-week dietary intervention were: changes in body weight (BW), Si, resting metabolic rate, and fasting lipids. RESULTS: Insulin-sensitive women on the HC/LF diet lost 13.5 +/- 1.2% (p < 0.001) of their initial BW, whereas those on the LC/HF diet lost 6.8 +/- 1.2% (p < 0.001; p < 0.002 between the groups). In contrast, among the insulin-resistant women, those on the LC/HF diet lost 13.4 +/- 1.3% (p < 0.001) of their initial BW as compared with 8.5 +/- 1.4% (p < 0.001) lost by those on the HC/LF diet (p < 0.04 between two groups). These differences could not be explained by changes in resting metabolic rate, activity, or intake. Overall, changes in Si were associated with the degree of weight loss (r = -0.57, p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: The state of Si determines the effectiveness of macronutrient composition of hypocaloric diets in obese women. For maximal benefit, the macronutrient composition of a hypocaloric diet may need to be adjusted to correspond to the state of Si.

Not that anyone was really that unaware of the fact that some people seem to be able to tolerate carbs and some don't but this study found that insulin sensitive people lost twice as much weight on a high carb diet (as opposed to a low carb diet), whereas insulin resistant people lost twice as much weight (almost) on a low carb diet.

I'm not sure I've seen any others studies that so clearly demonstrate this point.

[Frosty]

Yeah, I don't get why there's really a "war." Neither side is right that their method is best. Different methods work for different people depending on their phenotype.

It's simple. Most people are not "carb phenotypes" so it's best to start with a low carb keto type diet. If they truly are a carb type, they will continue to feel shitty even after 5 weeks. These guys need more carbs. Another decent test is to just have a really sugary breakfast like pancakes with lots of syrup and stuff like that. If shortly after you're ready for a nap, you're not a carb type. If it gives you sustained energy, you are. Most people will need the nap, though

[badfish51581]

Agreed for sure - I was just shooting for a provocative title. I think the bigger question is how much control you can exert over that phenotype - aka dramatically altering your insulin sensitivity.

[Frosty]

Agreed for sure - I was just shooting for a provocative title. I think the bigger question is how much control you can exert over that phenotype - aka dramatically altering your insulin sensitivity.

It can be affected for sure from the right diet, supplementation, and of course...exercise. A non-carb type will increase his carb tolerance a ton if he picks up endurance cycling as a sport But I don't think a true fat type will ever be the same as a true carb type even when playing with those factors.

[Myth]

Another decent test is to just have a really sugary breakfast like pancakes with lots of syrup and stuff like that. If shortly after you're ready for a nap, you're not a carb type. If it gives you sustained energy, you are. Most people will need the nap, though

So if I can eat a 900g carb meal and still have the energy/alertness to drive for 2 hours on the freeway at 2am, after already being awake for 24 hours straight, I assume I am a "carb type" guy, right?

[Frosty]

So if I can eat a 900g carb meal and still have the energy/alertness to drive for 2 hours on the freeway at 2am, after already being awake for 24 hours straight, I assume I am a "carb type" guy, right?

I would say so lol. I wouldn't be terribly surprised at that.

[Myth]

Agreed for sure - I was just shooting for a provocative title. I think the bigger question is how much control you can exert over that phenotype - aka dramatically altering your insulin sensitivity.

I have totally revamped my body in terms of cardiovascular efficiency, insulin sensitivity, etc, all through extremely high intensity workouts (metabolic conditioning) along with moderately intense cardio such as running and biking for fairly long distances.

I used to have refeed days of around 500-800g carbs FOR THE ENTIRE DAY, and feel lethargic. Now I have conditioned my body to the point that I can eat 5-7 meals of 600-900g carbs EACH and STILL not feel lethargic, and still get shredded to the bone for a contest!

[ChunkyThunder]

So if I can eat a 900g carb meal and still have the energy/alertness to drive for 2 hours on the freeway at 2am, after already being awake for 24 hours straight, I assume I am a "carb type" guy, right?

lol after my 2 carb meals in the morning before work I am falling asleep in my car on the way to work, however, on my way home after having 2 meals while at work which consisit of all protein except for fish oil caps and sometimes a small sweet potato (maybe 20-30 grams carbs) I feel much more awake and have no problem driving home at night.